Motherwell is one of the largest towns in Lanarkshire, situated on the east side of the Clyde Valley and is 12 miles south east of Glasgow.
 

Motherwell's History
 

There were settlers in the area from a very early date and Motherwell's name comes from an ancient religious well, the Mother's Well, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Today its site is marked by a plaque in Ladywell Road.  

By the early half of the 19th century the area comprised small farming communities and the Jerviston House estate as well as a small hamlet called Motherwell.

When the railway arrived a wide range of heavy engineering companies were established, specialising in the production of munitions, bridge components and trams.

In 1959 work began on a vast new steelworks which was to become Ravenscraig, occupying much of the land to the north east of Motherwell. By the sixties, the iron industry in Motherwell was blooming and by the seventies, the various plants on the east side of Motherwell reached 13,000 people.

Today only the Dalzell Plate Mill remains of Motherwell's once thriving iron and steel industry, employing several hundred people rolling steel brought by train from Middlesborough into plate steel of various shapes and sizes.

The huge area once occupied by the Ravenscraig Steelworks has been steadily cleaned of industrial pollution and seems likely to end up being reused to provide a new regional centre, significantly expanding the Motherwell you see today.
 

Great Family Days Out in Motherwell
 

For an excellent exploration of Motherwell's rich history, the Motherwell Heritage Centre offers an interesting, educational and fun day out for the whole family. 

Climb the tower and get spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, and a birds eye view of Lanarkshire and beyond.

Nearby Strathclyde Country Park offers great activties for everyone, from watersports, cycle hire, or a scenic stroll along the many country walks to the exciting rides on offer at M&D's, Scotland's Theme Park.

So whether you're after history or exhiliaration in the outdoors, there's something for everyone at Motherwell.